Targeted Therapies For Glioblastoma A Critical Appraisal

Genetic alterations in cancer, in addition to being the fundamental drivers of tumorigenesis, can give rise to a variety of metabolic adaptations that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate in diverse tumor microenvironments. This metabolic flexibility is different from normal cellular metabolic processes and leads to heterogeneity in cancer metabolism within the same cancer type or even within the same tumor. In this book, we delve into the complexity and diversity of cancer metabolism, and highlight how understanding the heterogeneity of cancer metabolism is fundamental to the development of effective metabolism-based therapeutic strategies. Deciphering how cancer cells utilize various nutrient resources will enable clinicians and researchers to pair specific chemotherapeutic agents with patients who are most likely to respond with positive outcomes, allowing for more cost-effective and personalized cancer therapeutic strategies.

This book, now in its second edition, provides a comprehensive overview of current re-irradiation strategies, with detailed discussion of re-irradiation methods, technical aspects, the role of combined therapy with anticancer drugs and hyperthermia, and normal tissue tolerance. In addition, disease specific chapters document recent clinical results and future research directions. All chapters from the first edition have been revised and updated to take account of the latest developments and research findings, including those from prospective studies. Due attention is paid to the exciting developments in the fields of proton irradiation and frameless image-guided ablative radiotherapy. The book documents fully how refined combined modality approaches and significant technical advances in radiation treatment planning and delivery have facilitated the re-irradiation of previously exposed volumes, allowing both palliative and curative approaches to be pursued at various disease sites. Professionals involved in radiation treatment planning and multimodal oncology treatment will find it to be an invaluable aid in understanding the benefits and limitations of re-irradiation and in designing prospective trials.

This issue of Neurosurgery Clinics, guest edited by Dr. Linda M. Liau, is dedicated to Glioblastoma: Molecular and Clinical Trials. This issue is one of four selected each year by the series consulting editors, Drs. Russell R. Lonser and Daniel K. Resnick. Topics will include—but are not limited to—Pathology & Molecular Markers, Cellular States & Genetic Diversity in Glioblastoma, Mismatch Repair in Glioblastoma Resistance, Genetic Susceptibility in Brain Cancer, Pediatric Gliomas: Molecular Landscape & Emerging Targets, Molecularly Targeted Clinical Trials, Novel Radiation Sensitizers, Immunotherapy Checkpoint Inhibitors, Brain Tumor Vaccines, CAR T Cells, Oncolytic Virotherapy, Targeting Cancer Stem Cells, Therapeutic Delivery to CNS, Theranostics: Dual Modality PET Tracers, and Neuroimaging & Novel Response Assessments.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and aggressive brain cancer with features of necrosis and endothelial proliferation in the histopathologic examination. Its presentation and management depend on tumor location, size, grade, and underlying histopathological characteristics. GBM tumors have clinical features of increased intracranial pressure, focal neurological deficits, or seizures (generalized or partial) with rapid progression. This book discusses GBM and its diagnosis, treatment, and management.

This concise book serves as a practical primer for the care of patients with primary brain tumors. Divided into two major sections, the first provides chapters with key information for each major brain tumor type. This includes basic information about etiology, epidemiology, clinical features, pathology, imaging, diagnostic workup, and treatment. The second section of the book features chapters that delve into supportive care management with specifics about management for each of the major conditions. This includes tumor-related epilepsy, venous thromboembolism in brain tumor patients, and corticosteroid management and toxicity. Detailed and clinically-focused information about chemotherapy regimens, dosing, monitoring, management of toxicities and patient education are also provided. Brain Tumors is a quick resource in the inpatient setting or in the clinic and educational resource to help new providers in the neuro-oncology field with the accumulated knowledge of clinicians with practical experience.

In the last few years, the development of new technologies in the medical field has allowed procedures and improved surgical techniques to be performed, which until recently would have been unthinkable.Modern neurosurgery is forever tied to technological progress: the development of robotics and robotic-assisted surgery; enhanced visualization, perfusion, and function monitoring in vascular surgery; new techniques of bone reconstruction; new cerebral imaging tools; and alternative treatments such as laser interstitial thermal therapy or immunotherapy for tumors. This book is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to these new developments and to their application in clinical practice. We have tried to provide a unique background and insights to coherently present these new technologies.